Common Plecos and Driftwood

[Edarion]

Do common plecos really need driftwood that bad?
I have this fairly large piece in my tank and thats all it does is sit there.
It takes up a lot of space so I can't really add anymore decorations.

I'm thinking of taking it out and putting in a bunch of small-medium sized caves and stuff.

But i'm worried about the Sailfin Pleco. Who has made his home on the underside of the driftwood.

[Edarion]

I mean there are some plecos that would die without driftwood. right? is this one of them

[gimlid]

Driftwood is important to all plecos definately. It is the most important thing you could have in the tank where plecos are concerned. They actually eat them for the bulk fiber which makes up part of their diet.
Lots of driftwoods release benficial tannins into the water also which is the natural habitiat of most plecos.
Driftwood is the only ornament I use in my tanks, if its too large, cut it up or simply tear it along the grain of the wood to make it smaller.

[Edarion]

I havn't actually seen the pleco eat driftwood. If anything my crays are carving it up.

No bowsaws or bandsaws to cut it up

[Edarion]

Has anyone kept a pleco Without driftwood...

What are your experiences with that

[mikechelsie]

yah ive had lots of common plecos in tanks without driftwood and they seem to be doing great

[The Guy]

I have 2 large pieces of driftwood in one of my tanks with my plecos and they keep it nice and buffed, I agree with Gimlid it's important when it comes to their diet, as well as the tannins released into the water. If it takes up too much room break it down to a smaller size.

[Niall]

They might be able to live without it, but they'd prefer to live with it. I've actually had a common pleco live with my African's for the last 2.5 years. There is no driftwood, as well as a high ph level and he is very much alive. Is he liking his habitat maybe not.

My other tanks all have plecos and driftwood and they are all very lively too, and spend tons of time around the driftwood. There happiness = driftwood ...but they can live without

[Edarion]

Any correlation as to size of driftwood. I have a massive piece that covers like almost the whole tank. and when you look in That's all you can see. I wonder if I can acheive the same happiness with a smaller piece

[hi-revs]

my pleco seems to be doing fine in my tank without any driftwood. but again, ive only had him for about 8 months.
But i am looking around for a piece of driftwood though.
anyone have any extra smaller pieces that theyd like to sell? pm me